The Dark House

The crime story takes us to the rugged landscape of the Bieszczady Mountains. In two parallel time planes – the crime and its subsequent investigation – we learn the details of a tale of passion and violence. The two story lines are united by the main witness, Edward Środoń, who years ago coincidently showed up at the Dziabas family farm and triggered a series of tragic events. The dark atmosphere is intensified by the setting – Poland in the dark days of communism in the 70s and 80s. The screenplay for the film touted as the “Polish Fargo” took twelve long years to complete, and its authors drew on the tradition of dramas from classical antiquity and crime fiction. Smarzowski combines psychological probe, thriller and quest for truth, which is always dangerous. —International Film Festival Prague